Smoking Articles Box

ABSTRACT

A smoking articles box for housing a charge of smoking articles includes an outer packaging surrounding a volume for housing the smoking articles, wherein the outer packaging includes a body section and a lid, the lid being hinged on the body section, with an inner packaging arranged at least partially inside the outer packaging and suited for housing the smoking articles, wherein the inner packaging comprises includes an inner packaging body section and an inner packaging lid section. The inner packaging lid section is attached to the inner packaging body section via a first perforation line and a second perforation line, which are separated from each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/057815, filed Mar. 20, 2020, published in English, which claims priority to European Application No. 19168127.9 filed Apr. 9, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a box or package for housing a charge of consumer products such as sweets, stationary or smoking articles, especially cigarettes. Hinge-lid type boxes for housing consumer products such as cigarettes are known from the state of the art. Usually those boxes comprise a reception volume for housing a plurality of products in a substantially parallelepipedal body portion of the box. This box usually can be opened by flapping a lid section around a predetermined swiveling axis formed by a hinge at one of the sides of the reception volume.

While the outer surface of cigarette and other consumer products boxes is usually printed with various information, for example warning information, the inner surface of the boxes is usually not used. One reason that the inner surface of those boxes is not used for advertisement is that these inner surfaces are usually covered by sections of an inner packaging protecting the products from direct contact with the inner surfaces of those boxes walls. There have been some commercial attempts however to provide boxes with inner printed surfaces, generally referred to as reverse side printed packaging. Currently, all reverse side printed designs of cigarette boxes are partially visible on the inner side of the top lid only and if the consumer particularly looks or views this area. Other areas, and in particular at the inner backside of the body part of the box receiving the smoking articles collation, are kept void of any printing since it is in use covered by an inner liner foil preventing direct contact of the cigarette collation to the board material of the box.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide more surface, respectively area, of the inside of a consumer product package, in particular a smoking articles box, especially for marketing purposes. This object is achieved by the smoking articles box of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are object of the subclaims.

A smoking articles box according to the invention for housing a charge of smoking articles comprises an outer packaging surrounding a volume for housing the smoking articles, wherein the outer packaging comprises a body section and a lid, the lid being arranged and especially hinged on the body section.

The box further comprises an inner packaging arranged at least partially inside the outer packaging and suited for housing the smoking articles, wherein the inner packaging comprises an inner packaging body section and an inner packaging lid section.

According to the invention, the inner packaging lid section is attached to the inner packaging body section via a first perforation line and a second perforation line, which are preferably separated from each other. Especially the charge of smoking articles can be arranged between these two perforation lines. In another preferred embodiment the mentioned perforation lines are parallel to each other.

It is therefore suggested to arrange specific perforation lines on the inner packaging section, which as shown below allow a removal of a part of the inner body section, especially a top section of the inner packaging from the remaining sections of the inner packaging.

Therefore, the visibility of the inner surfaces of especially the outer packaging will be enhanced.

Therefore, preferably by removing the inner liner or paper foil both in the front and the back sides of the cigarette collation, the consumer will have full view on any printed design elements, especially on the inner backside of the body portion of the outer packaging and inside the lid.

The reverse side printed designs will preferably continue appearing the more smoking articles are removed from the body portion of the box. This additional space could preferably be used for marketing and communication purposes.

In a preferred embodiment the outer packaging extends in a longitudinal direction which is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the smoking articles inside said outer packaging. Preferably the outer packaging further extends in a lateral direction which is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In another preferred embodiment the outer packaging has a cubic shape.

In another preferred embodiment a foil element is arranged outside the outer packaging. Preferably this foil element at least partially and preferably completely surrounds the outer packaging.

In another preferred embodiment the inner packaging comprises first and a second parts and especially halves arranged about the charge of smoking articles. Preferably these first and second parts are folded about the charge of smoking articles and especially folded around essentially linear folding lines.

Preferably each part and especially each half comprises at least a part of the inner packaging lid section. Preferably each part and especially each half comprises a perforation line.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner packaging lid section is completely removable from the inner packaging body section and is preferably completely removable about the first and second perforation lines.

It is therefore preferably suggested that the same perforation line on the backside of the cigarette collation is arranged that is already being applied on the inner liner foil of the front side.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inner packaging lid section is removable such that in a closed state of the box, no material of the inner packaging lid section remains between an upper end of the smoking articles and the top section of the lid of the outer packaging.

In other words, in an opened state no material of the inner packaging lid section (also referred to as inner packaging top section) is above the cigarettes when the box is standing in an upright position. Preferably the view on the lid section of the outer packaging is free.

In another preferred embodiment, the two perforation lines are at least in sections parallel to each other. This way, a very advantageous removal of the top section of the inner packaging is made possible. Preferably the two perforation lines are completely parallel to each other.

In another preferred embodiment, the inner packaging is at least partially formed from a metal and especially from a metallized material and very preferably from a metallized flexible sheet material.

Preferably, the inner packaging is made from a multi-layer material.

In another preferred embodiment, the first perforation line and the second perforation line are arranged in the same height positions of the inner packaging and especially within a same horizontal cross section of the inner packaging. In terms of height of the perforation line it could be theoretically applied at the same height level as the perforation applied on the front face of the collation. Preferably the height positions of the two perforation lines differ from each other by less than 2 cm, preferably by less than 1 cm, preferably by less than 0.5 cm.

In another preferred embodiment, the inner packaging is fixed to the outer packaging by at least one glue dot. Preferably, the at least one glue dot is arranged below the perforation line. If technically applicable, a lower glue dot position could make the printed reverse side even more visible.

In another preferred embodiment, the inner packaging comprises two inner liner parts. Preferably these inner liner parts are folded around the charge of smoking articles. In a very preferred embodiment, each inner liner part comprises one or the other of the first or the second perforation lines, delimiting a portion of the inner packaging body section and a portion of the inner packaging lid section.

In another possible embodiment, an additional glue dot is present, which could be used to fix marked elements of the packaging. This would ensure that the inner liner would entirely be removed on top of the smoking articles collation, when it is pulled by the consumer.

In another embodiment it would be possible to keep the mentioned elements unglued and remove them separately. However, preferably this would be communicated on the inner liner or the inner frame of the box or even on the inner foil itself, where the consumers will be asked to pull both inner liner flaps.

In another preferred embodiment, the two inner liner parts and especially the two portions of the inner liner parts, which are forming the inner packaging lid sections, are removable at the same time.

In this way, a single consumer action is required to remove the entire inner packaging lid section at once.

In another preferred embodiment, the two portions of the inner packaging lid sections are at least partially glued to one another. Here, one or more glue dots can be used to glue these two portions to one another.

In another preferred embodiment, the inner packaging lid section comprises a flap, which is palpable by a user. This embodiment serves to enhance the handling of the inner packaging lid section, in particular upon first opening of the box to help tearing away the inner packaging lid section.

In another preferred embodiment, the outer packaging is manufactured of a cardboard material.

Very preferably, the first perforation line and the second perforation lines are sections of a circumferential perforation line. This circumferential perforation line can comprise a third and a fourth perforation line, wherein preferably these third and fourth perforation lines are parallel to each other and wherein preferably the third and the fourth perforation line is perpendicular to the above mentioned first and second perforation lines.

Preferably the perforation line and/or the perforations are arranged around the full circumference of the bundle and/or a charge of smoking articles. In this manner preferably both front and back lid portions of the inner packaging can be removed integrally by a user, preferably at the same time.

Preferably the first and second perforation lines and the third and fourth perforation lines can be aligned to build the circumferential perforation line. Preferably at least one of the mentioned perforation lines are linear and/or in a straight line. Preferably at least two of these perforation lines, preferably at least three and preferably all four of the perforation lines are linear and/or in a straight line.

Preferably the circumferential line is composed of the first and second perforation line and the third and fourth perforation line.

Preferably the second perforation line extends at least over a part of the width of an inner packaging front panel. Preferably the second perforation line extends over the complete width of the inner packaging front panel.

Preferably the first perforation line extends at least over a part of the width of an inner packaging back panel. Preferably the first perforation line extends over the complete width of the inner packaging back panel.

Preferably the inner packaging comprises at least one and preferably two inner packaging side panels. Preferably also one and preferably both inner packaging side panels comprise a perforation line. Preferably this perforation lines extend over a part of the width of the inner packaging side panel and preferably this perforation lines extend over the complete width of the (respective) inner packaging side panel.

In another embodiment, the inner liner flaps are extended and folded in a way that the backside inner liner flap is folded onto the frontside inner liner flap about a top front edge of the smoking articles collation. In this case, the consumer would be animated to pull the top first.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention reaches more visible space for design and communication activities in consumer product packages such as hinge-lid boxes for smoking articles, especially at the inner parts of the packages. Further advantages and embodiments are illustrated in the attached drawings.

Herein show:

FIG. 1 a cigarette box according to the state of the art;

FIG. 2 an outer packaging of a cigarette box according to the invention;

FIG. 3 another view of a cigarette box according to the invention;

FIG. 4 a cigarette box according to the invention with an outer packaging and an inner packaging;

FIG. 5 another view of the inner packaging of a cigarette box according to the invention;

FIG. 6 another view of a cigarette box according to the invention; and

FIG. 7a,b a first and a second embodiment of a blank sheet of material for making an inner packaging in unfolded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a cigarette box 100 according to the state of the art. This cigarette box 100 comprises an outer packaging 2. This outer packaging has a body section 22 and a lid 24, which is hinged on the body section so as to open the cigarette box and allow access in smoking articles 10 arranged in a collation in the inner volume of the body section 22. The lid 24 here is shown in an open state of the cigarette box 100.

Reference numeral 32 refers to an inner frame, conventionally attached to an inner surface of front and side panels of the body section 22 of the cigarette box 100 and extending longitudinally upwards outside the inner volume thereof to provide a matting closing surface for the lid 24, preventing it from self-opening or “smiling” after the box has been opened and several smoking articles 10 removed from the collation. In the represented figures the inner frame 32 comprises a recess 34 for allowing access to the smoking articles 10 and removal from the collation by a user. The recess 34 may be of different shape to that show in the figures, and may in particular extend more widely into the inner frame 32 to offer a larger access to the smoking articles collation in the body section 22.

Reference numeral 104 refers to a section of an inner packaging of the cigarette box 100 wrapping the smoking articles collation in the body section to protect it from contacting the inner surfaces of the body section 22 and lid 24 before first opening of the box 100, thereby controlling moisture egress and sensory characteristics of the smoking articles during storage. As can be seen in FIG. 1, this section of the inner packaging extends above the smoking articles collation and partially hinders the sight of the inner surface of the lid 24.

FIG. 2 shows a view of an outer packaging 2 of a cigarette box 1 according to the invention. This outer packaging again comprises the body section 22 and the lid 24. Reference numeral 26 denotes the inner surface of the lid and reference numeral 27 shows an inner surface of the back panel of the body section 22 on which further information (not shown) could be printed in a reverse side printed hinge-lid box. It is an object of the invention to allow the user free sight to these inner surfaces 26, 27. Reference 25 shows the hinge line of the lid of the outer packaging to the backside panel of the body portion.

FIG. 3 shows another view of the outer packaging an open cigarette box 1 according to the invention. On the inner surface 27 a glue dot 12 can be arranged. This glue dot 12 serves to fix a portion of the inner packaging (not shown) to the outer packaging 2. The position of this glue dot along the direction h can be chosen such that a body section of the inner packaging (not shown) is adhered to the outer packaging. Therefore preferably this glue dot is arranged in a position, which along the height direction h of the outer packaging (which extends from the body section 22 to the lid 24) is lower than the perforation lines 46, 48 arranged in the inner liner foil material of the inner packaging, further discussed below.

FIG. 4 shows a cigarette box 1 according to the invention in an open state. Reference numeral 44 denotes the inner packaging lid section of the inner packaging. The body section of the inner packaging is covered by the body section 22 of the outer packaging and therefore not visible in FIG. 4. Also, the first perforation line 48 and the second perforation line 46 are covered by the body section 22 and therefore only shown in dashed lines. The inner packaging lid section 44 is connected to the inner packaging body section along the perforation lines 48 and 46.

Perforation lines (not shown) may preferably also extend between the perforation lines 46 and 48 on the two respective side sections of the inner packaging.

The reference numerals 44 a and 44 b denote portions of the inner packaging lid section 44. Theses portions can be first and second halves, which are folded about the charge of smoking articles (not shown in FIG. 4. When opening the package, the consumer can tear off these portions 44 a, 44 b from the body section of the inner packaging. In other words, these portions are ideally both removed and especially removed at the same time to access the cigarettes.

In a preferred embodiment one of the two portions, for example the portion 44 b may comprise another glue dot by which the portion 44 b and the portion 44 a are glued together.

In another preferred embodiment the complete inner liner (comprising the two portions 44 a and 44 b can be entirely removed on top of the cigarette collation when it is pulled by a consumer.

However, it is also possible that the portions 44 a and 44 b are kept unglued and removed separately to open the package.

Therefore, by tearing of the lid section 44 of the inner packaging the glue connection between the outer packaging and the inner packaging will not be affected.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the portions, 44 a, 44 b comprise each an extension 58, which is preferably attached, for example by a glue dot or line, to the other extension, such that a user can pull simultaneously on the extensions 58 a, b to tear away the lid section 44 of the inner packaging and open the inner packaging. The extensions 58 a, b may advantageously be folded on the front side of the inner packaging over an edge of the smoking articles collation and glued to the outer surface of the front side of the inner packaging, in either the lid section 44 thereof or the body section thereof. Such front side attachment of the extensions helps preventing the extensions 58 a, b from springing sideways from the collation due to the inner packaging material elasticity during packaging operations, which could induce damages to the inner packaging and thus defaults products.

Reference numeral 64 denotes an edge which is part of the outer packaging. The perforation line 46 shown in FIG. 4 would extend preferably a little lower than the height level of the edge 64.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show views of blank sheets for the manufacturing of the inner packaging 4 according to two possible envelope folding wrapping principles principally used in smoking articles packaging machines currently, i.e. transversal and longitudinal folding. Both figures shows blank sheets in an unfolded state i.e. in a state that can be folded to create the inner packaging. Reference 42 denotes an inner packaging body section and reference numeral 44 an inner packaging lid section.

In FIG. 7a the inner packaging body section comprises an inner packaging front panel 42 a and an inner packaging back panel 42 c. The reference numerals 42 d and 42 d denote inner packaging side panels. The reference numeral 42 e denotes an overlapping section which can be adhered to the side panel 42 d when folding the inner packaging

The reference numeral 46 denotes the second perforation line in the front panel part 42 a and which also had been present in the state of the art. The reference numeral 48 denotes the second perforation line which according to the invention is present in the back panel part 42 c.

Also, in the inner packaging side panels 42 b and 42 d respective perforation lines 45 and 47 are present. Another perforation line 49 is also present in the overlapping section 42 e. The perforation lines 45-49 are aligned throughout a length of the blank sheet, therefore in their entirety build a circumferential perforation line to the inner packaging when folded about a charge of smoking articles, which allows the complete removal of the lid section 44 from the body section 42.

Preferably this circumferential perforation line also separates the inner packaging body section 42 from the inner packaging lid section 44.

FIG. 7b shows another view of a blank for manufacturing the inner packaging 4 according to a longitudinal folding principle. Here too, the two perforation lines 46 and 48 are shown extending this time vertically through the full width of the blank, which together with the two lines in the side panels build a circumferential perforation line to the inner packaging when folded about a charge of smoking articles.

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 cigarette box -   2 outer packaging of the cigarette box -   4 inner packaging -   10 cigarette -   12 glue dot -   22 body section of the outer packaging -   24 lid of the outer packaging -   26 inner surface of the lid of the outer packaging 2 -   28 inner surface of the outer packaging -   32 section of the outer packaging -   34 recess -   42 inner packaging body section -   42 a front panel of inner packaging body section -   42 c back panel of inner packaging body section -   42 b,d side panels of inner packaging body section -   42 e overlapping section -   44 inner packaging lid section -   44 a, b portions of lid sections -   45, 47 perforation lines in side panels -   46 second perforation line -   48 first perforation line -   58 extension -   58 a, b extensions -   62 recess -   64 edge -   h height 

1. A smoking articles box for housing a charge of smoking articles with an outer packaging surrounding a volume for housing the smoking articles, wherein the outer packaging comprises a body section and a lid, the lid being hinged on the body section, with an inner packaging arranged at least partially inside the outer packaging and suited for housing the smoking articles, wherein the inner packaging comprises an inner packaging body section and an inner packaging lid section, wherein the inner packaging lid section is attached to the inner packaging body section via a first perforation line and a second perforation line, which are separated from each other, wherein the first perforation line and the second perforation line are sections of a circumferential perforation line.
 2. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the inner packaging further comprises first and second halves configured to be folded about the charge of smoking articles, each of the first and second halves comprising a part of the inner packaging lid section and each of the first and second halves including one of the first or second perforation lines.
 3. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the inner packaging lid section is completely removable from the inner packaging body section about the first and second perforation lines.
 4. The smoking articles box according to claim 3, wherein the inner packaging lid section is removable such that in a closed state of the box no material of the inner packaging lid section remains between an upper end of the smoking articles and a top section of the lid of the outer packaging.
 5. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the first and second perforation lines are at least in sections parallel to each other.
 6. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the inner packaging is at least partially formed from a metallized flexible sheet material.
 7. The smoking articles box according to at least one of the preceding claim 1, wherein the first and second perforation lines are arranged on a same height positions and/or within a same horizontal cross section of the inner packaging.
 8. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the inner packaging is fixed to the outer packaging by at least one glue dot.
 9. The smoking articles box according to claim 8, wherein the at least one glue dot is arranged below the circumferential perforation line.
 10. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the inner packaging further comprises two inner liner parts configured to be folded about the charge of smoking articles, wherein each of the two inner liner parts includes one or the other of the first and second perforation lines delimiting a portion of the inner packaging body section and a portion of the inner packaging lid section.
 11. The smoking articles box according to claim 10, wherein two portions of the two inner liner parts forming the inner packaging lid section are removable at the same time.
 12. The smoking articles box according to claim 11, wherein the two portions of the inner packaging lid section are at least partially glued to one another.
 13. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the inner packaging lid section comprises a flap which is palpable by a user.
 14. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the outer packaging is manufactured of a cardboard material.
 15. The smoking articles box according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential perforation line further comprises third and fourth perforation lines.
 16. The smoking articles box according to claim 15, wherein the third and fourth perforation lines are parallel to each other. 